The Banner                    May 2014
In This Issue
Calendars
Message from the Rector
Knight for St. George's
Wednesday Weavings
Safe Place Ministry
St. George's History
 

ST. GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

 

4301 N. IH 35
Austin, TX 78722  
 

Phone: 512.454.2523    

stgeorgeaustin@gmail.com

 

Church office hours:  

Monday - Thursday 

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

www.sgchurch.org  

 

Sunday Schedule

8:00am - Holy Eucharist Rite I
9:00am - Contemplative prayer
9:45am - Choir rehearsal
10:30am - Holy Eucharist Rite II  
                   with Kids Word

4:00pm - St. Hildegard's Worship


The Rev. Kevin LJ Schubert

Rector

The Rev. Judith Liro

Assisting Priest & Minister to

St. Hildegard's Community

 

The Rev. John Brewer

Deacon 

Anne Weaver 

Music Minister 

Vanessa Nering
Newcomer Minister/
Office Administrator


Kate Wright

Interim Day School Director

Vestry

Melissa Eason Brackin

Patsy Chandler

Mark Casstevens

August Dolan-Henderson

Spencer Gordon

Stephanie Meldrum

Mary Stewart Miller

Alice Nelson

John Rickard

 

Patsy Chandler

Senior Warden

John Rickard

Junior Warden

Melissa Eason Brackin

Financial Secretary

 

Frances Rickard, Treasurer

 

August Dolan-Henderson, Clerk

 

Mark Casstevens, Day School Liaison  

Josh Shipman
Seminarian

Ashley Urquidi 
Seminarian

Laurence Wainwright-Maks

Seminarian  

 


MONTHLY CALENDARS
Click on the following links to find:

{May Lay Ministry Schedule to follow}

Click here to sign up to be a reader or intercessor during our Rite I & II services.

June Banner Submissions
Deadline for news for the next issue of
The Banner is Tuesday, May 27th.
Please e-mail information, schedules, photos and articles you would like included in next month's edition to stgeorgeaustin@gmail.com .

Seminarians Last Sunday 
Come and celebrate the ministries of our seminarians! 
 
Over the past two years we have been blessed to have Laurence as our seminarian, and it is fitting that we send him off to his new position in style. We will have a special blessing for him May 4th during the 10:30 service and enjoy refreshments in Kleberg Hall in his honor. We will also celebrate Ashley & Josh's time with us and wish them both a fruitful summer during their time off. They will join us again at the beginning of the Fall seminary semester.
 



Mark Your Calendars 
     
May 3         Ice Cream Social, 4 pm
May 4         Outreach Committee mtg, 9 am
May 4         Knight for St. George's, 6 pm 
May 7         Wednesday Weavings, 6:30 pm
May 11       Mother's Day
May 12       Vestry Meeting, 7 pm
May 15       Hallelujah Hour, 5 pm
May 18       Family Worship Service, 5 pm
May 21       Wednesday Weavings, 6:30 pm
May 26       Memorial Day (Church office                           closed)
May 27       Deadline to submit Banner news
June 1        Graduation Sunday


Important Message from the Rector

 

Dear St. George's Family,

Instead of my regular 'Rector's Corner' I am dedicating this section of the Banner to some rather exciting and important news from the Vestry. Recently St. George's Episcopal Church has received a monetary gift to begin a new dedicated fund for the church.  At our April meeting the vestry authorized our treasurer to create a new Capital Improvements Fund designated for improvements to our campus beyond the regular church operations and maintenance.  The seed money received to create the fund is a generous contribution that will enable St. George's to continue to build upon our great values, vision, and mission.  

 

Creation of the Capital Improvements Fund opens new possibilities for St. George's.  You may remember last fall when the community gathered for our Lifelong Learning Class we began dreaming about and creating a master plan for St. George's.  Within that very important process a number of hopes came to light.  Some of these hopes for our campus are attainable sooner rather than later.  

The necessity of more space dedicated to our great day school was solidified as a current need during that Lifelong Learning course.  The plan to move the church offices to the Wright House and for the school to occupy the current church offices is well underway.  The Wright House Wellness Center, whose offices are currently in the Wright House, has been informed that their lease, ending in May of 2015, will not be renewed.  Additionally, a major improvement to our campus that proved to be another top priority of the congregation is to address the deteriorating parking lot in front of Kleberg Hall.  

 

As you may imagine, the two immediate improvements to our campus mentioned above will need to be addressed in our immediate future.  As we transition the church offices and revitalize the parking lot, funds will be needed beyond the scope of normal church operations and regular maintenance.  Our encouraged annual pledge to the operations budget of St. George's is an important piece of our commitment and dedication to God's church.  The creation of the Capital Improvements Fund enables St. George's to have an additional opportunity to give to our great church!

 

The monetary gift given to seed the Capital Improvements Fund is just the beginning of the financial need in order to accomplish the improvements that are before us.  The Buildings & Grounds Committee of the Vestry, lead by our Junior Warden, John Rickard, has been tasked with the cost assessment for the improvements.   As we learn more, the vestry and I will continue to keep the congregation informed.  Currently though, you now have the opportunity to pitch in towards our attainable goal.  I pray that you will join in contributing to the Capital Improvements Fund, over and beyond your regular pledge.  All contributions are welcomed and needed, no matter the size.  

 

We are in the midst of an exciting period of St. George's history; full of vitality, optimism, and energy.  Please take this time to prayerfully consider how you can increase your contribution to St. George's.  Your dedication and commitment is tremendously valued and important as we continue to worship God and share our faith through word, action, and service.  

 

 

God bless, 
The Rev. Kevin LJ Schubert  

A Word from Our Senior Seminarian
 
The Reception of Guests

"All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matt 25:35).

 

For those of us who may be unfamiliar with monastic traditions, it might be hard to imagine that monks could be such gracious hosts. "Aren't they supposed to live in the deserts by themselves or something?" Actually, monasteries are known for drawing many visitors.  According to the Rule of St. Benedict, hospitality is one of the greatest forms of discipline a community can practice, which may be easier to see using the hermeneutical lens that all strangers are received into the community as if they were Christ. As a seminarian, it has been an awkward and surreal experience, to drop everything I was once doing, and move to Austin, Texas. When I came to St. George's, it was under unique circumstances. The site for my first placement was no longer an option and I needed another church that would be willing to accept a seminarian so late into the semester. You welcomed me to your community and invited me to be part of your weekly lives. I was indeed the stranger, and I want all of you at St. George's to know that I am so grateful for your hospitality and allowing me to be a "welcomed guest" within your community.

 

So, what's next for me? I begin work on July 1 in Starkville, Mississippi, where I will be the Chaplain for Mississippi State University and Curate at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. I feel confident in beginning my ministry with this new community because of my experience at St. George's.  Again, I cannot begin to thank all of you for being such an influential part of my experience at the Seminary of the Southwest and for your wonderful hospitality to Austin.

 

Thank you and God bless,

 

-Laurence

 

  

 

Ice Cream Social Sendoff
 
 Shelby Harvey is graduating from UT in May (congratulations, Shelby!) and leaving soon thereafter for graduate school at NYU in New York City.  Frances and John Rickard are hosting an ice cream social for Shelby at their house on Saturday, May 3rd, from 4 to 6 p.m. Shelby served both as a member of the Altar Guild and an usher during her time at St. George's, so we hope many from those groups can come, but the invitation is extended to any parishioner who would like to help send Shelby off in style (how better than with ice cream?).  If you need directions, please email John at john@p3consulting.us or call the house at (512) 346-5216.


Outreach Committee Meeting
This Sunday at 9 am

 

The next outreach committee meeting will take place this Sunday, May 4th at 9 am in Kleberg Hall.  If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Meldrum at stephanie.meldrum@hotmail.com. 
 



Hear Ye, Hear Ye! 
 
Calling all lords and ladies of the land: parents, grandparents, former parents, parishioners, alumni, and friends are invited to our "Knight for St. George's" on Sunday, May 4th from 6-9 pm
at Takoba (1411 E 7th St). Tickets are $40 per person for food, friends, drinks, and amazing silent and live auction items. All proceeds benefit St. George's Episcopal School. Contact Erin at the school office at erin.stgeorges@gmail.com to be put on the will-call list! The church office also has tickets for purchase.  It will be a night to remember, as it always is!  Come one, come all!

Spring Lifelong Learning Class: 
Sundays, April 27th - May 18th
 
During this Easter season the St. George's community will join together for a four week class dedicated to instruction and interaction centered around our common Christian obligations and devotion in life. Beginning 15 minutes after the conclusion of the 10:30 am service we will gather in Kleberg Hall for this 30 to 45 minute class. All ages are encouraged to participate. 

Starry Nights and Camp Fire Lights

Camp Allen is gearing up for the sixth annual Starry Nights and Camp Fire Lights on Thursday, May 8th at 6:30 pm. It's a country-casual and easy-breezy event with margaritas and toe-tapping music to boot.  Proceeds from Starry Nights provides scholarships to children of need so they can attend Camp Allen's summer camp and school-year Discovery Program. This year's event will be held on the Seminary campus (located on 501 E. 32nd Street). For more information, contact Lauren Day at 
laurend@campallen.org
 or 
866-334-CAMP. 

Seminary Commencement

Seminary of the Southwest will hold its Sixty-third Commencement on Tuesday, May 13th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church (8134 Mesa Dr.) in Austin.  Dr. Justo Gonz�lez, Cuban American historian, theologian and author will preach at Holy Eucharist for Commencement. 

Hallelujah Hour

Our monthly community fellowship hour is back!  
Hallelujah Hour will  be held on the 3rd Thursday of the month and we will be returning to the Draught House Pub & Brewery (4112 Medical Pkwy #100, 78756).  Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 15th at 5:00 pm!
This month's gathering happens to land on the birthdays of Anne Weaver, Laurence Wainwright-Maks & Josh Shipman!

WEDNESDAY WEAVINGS RETURNS! 


After a break for the Grace Series during Lent, the Wednesday evening discussion group known as Wednesday Weavings will start up again in May.  The group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 6:30 to 8 pm in different homes. We share a simple meal, have a short time of centering prayer, and discuss a selected reading for the evening. Readings come from the current issue of Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life and are circulated in advance.

 

Because we discuss a different reading each time, feel free to come any Wednesday you can. Please bring a contribution for the salad bar meal (for example, fruit, vegetable, or crunchy topping). This month, the gatherings are on May 7th at Sarah Campbell's home and May 21st at Frances and John Rickard's home.

 

David McGhee has set up a website on Rallyhood.com that provides a central source of information for the group, including meeting dates and an electronic copy of the upcoming reading. If you would like to join the Rallyhood site, please email David at dmcghee@austin.rr.com. Printed copies of the reading will also be available at church the Sunday before the group gathers on Wednesday.

 

Family Worship Service

 
The Family Service focuses on community building and children as we worship God and share our faith through word, action, and service. The first thirty minutes of the service consist of prayers, readings, sermon, and songs directed toward children and their families. The service then moves into a special table liturgy; sharing communion alongside a pot-luck meal. The service provides families an opportunity to worship God through community while not disrupting children's nap time and Sunday morning activities; as well as providing a meal before bedtime.
So, come and enjoy the 5 pm Family Service of St. George's on Sunday, May 18th!

Telling Our Stories 


Thank you so much to Raul Carrera for sharing some key moments in his spiritual journey in last month's issue of Real Stories Real People. Thanks also to Terry O'Donnell for providing the cover photograph. Watch for this month's issue to arrive in your email inbox about the 15th of the month. If you would like a print copy, please contact the church office.

 

You are invited and encouraged to consider writing your story in a future issue of Real Stories Real People - whatever part of the path you would like to share with us. Simply let Fr. Kevin or me know if you have questions or if you would like to be put on the schedule for a future issue.

 

If you have a photograph you'd like to submit for consideration to appear in a future issue, send it to me (fajrickard@gmail.com)!  Photos of nature or of St. George's are especially welcome. - Frances Rickard

 


SafePlace Ministry

We are excited about our new opportunities to serve SafePlace, a refuge for women and children seeking asylum from family violence.

 

Chuck Webb and Sarah Campbell presented Steven Olender of SafePlace with 27 hospital accompaniment bags for victims of sexual and domestic violence, gifts from St George's Episcopal Church and friends.  

Our next bag assembly will be after church on Sunday, May 25th.

We will be meeting with the SafePlace contact shortly and hope to have an updated item list.  

 

If you are interested in making the bags and/or providing items, let us know.

 

Sarah Campbell                                   Hollie Gordon 

cowmarket2@gmail.com                     gordonhollie3@gmail.com

512.569.3081                                      512.922.2190                                                


Ascension Day Service 
Wednesday, May 28th
 
In observance of the Ascension of our Lord, St. George's will
incorporate the selected Ascension readings from the
Revised Common Lectionary into the normally scheduled 
Healing Service with Holy Eucharist on Wednesday, May 28th at 12:15 pm in the sanctuary. The service marks the close of the post-resurrection appearances after Easter and signifies the rule of Christ in the present through the Holy Spirit. Healing prayers and the anointing of oil will be offered as is traditionally offered at the Wednesday healing service.

 


Artist Design Sought
 
St. George's Vestry is considering replacing the baptismal font, Paschal candle holder, and possibly the flower table.  There is interest in having an artist design something that is specific to the church sanctuary.  If anyone knows an artist who has ecclesiastical experience in these types of church elements, please let John Rickard know.  There is a fairly short list already but we would like to add a name or two if they have the right background and understanding of church rubrics.

Celebrating Our Graduates

St. George's will offer a special liturgy at the 10:30 service on Sunday, June 1st to celebrate those graduating or moving forward in their educational journey. We will offer a blessing for all who are graduating from high school, college, technical schools, certification programs and/or programs of formation (i.e. Education for Ministry). All students are invited to attend this service, but if you (or your child) is graduating from one of the education institutions listed above, please inform Vanessa Nering at the church office (512-454-2523 or          stgeorgeaustin@gmail.com) so we can honor him or her in the service. 

Texas Folklife Festival
June 7th & 8th

In 2009, I told a friend about my interest in folk music and he recommended that I check out the Texas Folklife Festival in San Antonio. I went by myself and I can honestly say that it was a life-changing experience for me. I watched folk dances of Scotland, China, Greece, Israel, and Turkey, just to name a few. I couldn't help but notice how we as a species are all so similar and yet so distinct. UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures hosts the festival on the museum grounds in downtown San Antonio (right under the Tower of the Americas). The event is Saturday, June 7th, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, June 8th, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. I will be going both days, and I 
would love for anyone who is interested to join me. I cannot recommend this festival highly enough. It's a great event for all ages - plenty of stuff for kids to do as well! Ticket prices are $12 at the gate, or $9 if we can get enough people for the group rate. Tickets for kids ages 6-12 are only $5, and kids under 6 get in free! If you would like more information about the festival, please contact me. But be warned - I might talk your ear off! This is my favorite festival of any kind!   
Anne Weaver  sgmusicminister@gmail.com 

Parish Financial Statement 


Below is a statement of St. George's actual income and expenses compared with the budgeted income and expenses for the first quarter of 2014.  Please contact parish treasurer Frances Rickard at fajrickard@gmail.com or 512.346.5216 if you have any questions.

 

YEAR TO DATE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

JANUARY - MARCH 2014

 

Actual

Budgeted

Loose offering & pledges

$39,421

$43,272

Other income*

$11,931

$ 9,115

Total Income

$51,352

$52,387

Total Expenses

$50,770

$54,382

Difference between Income and

   Expenses

 

 $  582

 

-$1,995

 

*Includes donations for altar flowers and other income for operations purposes, such as building use fees and reimbursements from St. George's School and St. Hildegard's. Does not include donations to Outreach Committee projects, memorial funds, Newcomer Ministry grant funds, or special fund-raisers.

 


News from


May Events 

  

 
 
Our annual "St. George Slays the Dragon" day on Friday, April 25th was a wonderful success! The kingdom of St. George's School is safe and well. 
  
 
 
  
On Sunday, April 27th, a special family chapel service and sing along was held at St. George's Church. We learned that St. George slayed the mean dragon to free a kingdom from religious oppression. After the dragon was slayed, all were free to worship and share their joy in God's light. We also sang some of our favorite songs: St. George's School Song, This Little Light of Mine, Arky Arky, and My God is so Big.  Thanks to the families and teachers who were able to worship and sing with us! 

A Knight for St. George's is Sunday, May 4th at Takoba from 6-9PM. Robyn and her team of volunteers have put together an exciting evening of live music, delicious food, and many silent and live auction items. 

What a wonderful year it has been! 
The new Head of School, Jerri Thompson, will spend her first day with us this Thursday, May 1st. She and I will be working together for the next week, and Kate's last day will be Wednesday May 7th. Jerri's email is: jerri.stgeorges@gmail.com

After May 7th, if you wish to contact Kate, please use her personal email: kate@train4thegame.com
Erin will remain part of the St. George's team, and her email remains: erin.stgeorges@gmail.com 
 

St. George's History

The history of St. George's is rich and interesting, and should be
 shared with all!  Each month, Father Kevin selects an article to share
 which provides historical insight that is invaluable to the understanding 
of the recent past at St. George's Church. 
This month's article highlights the importance of person-to-person evangelism and sharing the Good News by inviting friends to church.

Please click on the link below for the retyped historical piece. 

 

 Historical account of St. George's Episcopal Church

 


May Birthdays and Anniversaries

We wish the following parishioners a very happy May birthday:
James Wall (May 4), Alice Nelson (May 9), Chloe Metcalf (May 13), Anne Weaver (May 15), Laurence Wainwright-Maks (May 15), Josh Shipman (May 15), Carolyn Porter (May 16), Katie Carnes (May 26), Kelly Puckett (May 28), August Dolan-Henderson (May 31), Bill Manahan


And a very happy anniversary to:
Heather & Kevin Schubert (May 1)


Congratulations!

Hildegard's Illumination: Peace for the Earth

 

Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC in March, provided another amazing opportunity to work with the larger Christian community from all around the United States. The 2014 national gathering was called, "Jesus Weeps - Resisting Violence, Building Peace."  The focus was on the way various policies and forms of promoting violence can be transformed to policies which enable peace. Rev. John Dear and Jim Wallis were two of the many engaging speakers.  As always, ecumenical groups from each state gathered together to come up with a workable agenda to use as we visited the Offices of our Senators and Representatives on Monday before we returned home. It is always great to be part of a group of Christians from so many different churches!

 

Care for Creation: As part of the Franciscan Action Network webinar team, I was delighted to receive some great information (during a recent webinar) on protecting the Monarch butterflies, which are currently near extinction. The Environmental Faithfuls at St. George's, led by Suzette Puckett, and our group at St. Hildegard's are working together to promote the preservation of the Monarchs. At St. Hildegards we are working to plant Milkweed in our home gardens so that the Monarchs will have a place to lay their eggs.  I am also sending out information to the Episcopal Peace Fellowship Care for Creation group about protecting the Monarchs. May all go well!

 

Pace e bene,   Francesca

 

"Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: an Episcopal Gathering to Challenge the Epidemic of Violence," was held April 9-11 near Oklahoma City and I am so grateful to have been there. After the shooting at Sandy Hooks Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, the Bishop of the Diocese of Washington in DC and the Dean of the National Cathedral immediately made strong statements about the toll of gun violence in the inner cities and in our society. Other bishops where gun violence was especially high joined in.  Bishops from Maryland, Connecticut and Newark are conveners for a task-force called "Bishops Against Gun Violence." The Bishop of Oklahoma, a former cop and current gun owner, hosted the conference, which included thirty-four bishops and two hundred laity and clergy. There are now more than 40 bishops from across a liberal-conservative spectrum who are coming together to address illegal gun trafficking in creative, non-violent ways.  The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke and the Presiding Bishop preached at the Eucharist.  Our visit to the Museum and Memorial to the bombing of the Federal Building in April 1995 was a powerful experience.

 

I had never been where so many bishops had come together to work on one way of bringing peace. Presenters told of exciting work already in progress across the country.  I heard a consistent positive message of effective ways to reduce this epidemic of senseless deaths and injuries that particularly impact economically depressed areas.  We learned to avoid the loaded (pun intended) phrase "gun control," that stirs the fears of gun owners.  Instead we are calling for 'gun responsibility' and 'gun safety,' a message to appeal to a wide spectrum of our society.  Bishops Harrison and Fisher, two Deacons, and myself explored ideas for work here in Texas.   I invite you to visit the Diocese of Oklahoma's website and especially encourage you to listen to Bishop Ed's very personal and moving address.  He said he is sometimes known as the 'gun-toting bishop' and he is passionate about the Episcopal Church addressing this challenge. Other addresses, including the Archbishop's, will be posted soon.    http://epiok.org/reclaiming-the-gospel-info.html

 

Blessings of peace, Judith

 

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